Protesters Easily Take Over Ferguson Police Department Lot

On the first night of a weekend of planned demonstrations called "Ferguson October," protesters took over the Ferguson Police Department parking lot.

At first, the takeover had a tense feeling, but the mood soon transitioned to one of calm, activists and reporters on the ground said, despite a large crowd, which began to thin around midnight. Police officers wore name badges—in contrast to the past, but they also donned familiar helmets with face protecters and black shields emblazoned with "POLICE" in white lettering.

Police asked protesters to step back, at one point, warning that if demonstrators touched an officer, they would immediately be arrested. However, in general, the atmosphere was more relaxed than during prior protests, according to reports on social media.

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